Clemson will match one of nation's most potent offenses against sound and stingy South Carolina defense

If Clemson can run up and down the field and score on the Gamecocks, the Tigers' defense should be good enough to finish the job.

Likewise, if South Carolina's defense can contain the Tigers' potent attack, the Gamecock offense is pretty good at doing just enough to win.

Statistically, the Tigers will match their best against the Gamecocks' best.

Clemson is fourth in the nation in scoring, averaging 44.64 points per game and trailing only Louisiana Tech, Oregon and Oklahoma State. The Gamecocks rank 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 17.45 points per contest.

The Tigers are sixth in total offense with 535.64 yards per game, and rank fourth nationally in offensive plays with 903, trailing only Marshall, Louisiana Tech and Nevada. The Gamecocks are 13th in total defense, giving up fewer yards per game overall (311) than Clemson is averaging through the air alone (332).

Clemson's passing efficiency rating is the nation's fourth best (169.02) behind Georgia, Alabama and San Jose State. The Gamecocks rank 38th in passing efficiency defense with a 120.30 rating.

Clemson ranks fourth in the nation on third-down conversions (52.84 percent) and leads the country in fourth-down conversions (13-of-15, 86.67 percent). The Gamecocks are 38th in third-down defense (36 percent) and 28th on opponents' fourth-down attempts (38 percent).

The Tigers are the nation's fourth most efficient team in the red zone (49-of-42, 94 percent). South Carolina's defense is 14th in red-zone stops, turning the opposition away empty-handed 30 percent of the time.

Clemson ranks 10th in the nation in first downs per game with 26.45. The Gamecocks are 14th in fewest first downs allowed, with 17.18.